Most romantic dinners– for Valentine’s Day

Posted by Anoothi Vishal on February 10th, 2010

Here’s my pick in an otherwise most unromantic city. Mail me if you need help setting up something special at a restaurant in Delhi for your date…

Having refused a trip to Khajurao, the land of Kamasutra, this Valentine’s weekend and not having found reservation at my favourite weekend getaway around Delhi, the Westin resort in Sohna (it’s all booked for a V-Day wedding), I am resigned to stay put at home on the weekend. Ashwin has been asking whether we want to check into a city hotel (with baby in tow), not as much for a romantic getaway as to get away from the rigours of Delhi living but, really, apart from the fact that you can have the luxury of housekeeping done for you and a mega breakfast to look forward to—where is the charm? This is a common feature of some city hotels. However, luxury hotels in Dehli are on offer to provide some real luxuries.

In the meanwhile, I have been drawing up my own list of splurge-worthy restaurants to visit on Feb 14. Whether we make it to any of these remains to be seen. Do we really want to jostle with eager diamond-dripping aunties and starry eyed college fashionistas at crowded places will require some soul searching. On the other hand, should you be searching for an appropriate venue for your date in this rather unromantic city, here are my suggestions:

Sevilla: It has the most romantic ambience in the city with twinkling lights, al fresco seating, live wood-fired pizza oven, a well-stocked bar and some great Spanish (and Italian) food.

Where: Hotel Claridges, Aurangzeb Road, Tel: 23010211

Meal for two (with wine): Rs 6,000 approx

Olive: Mehrauli, the old medieval capital with the Qutab for a sign post and quaint havelis strewn around, is one of the quaintest parts of Delhi. And Olive, situated in an old haveli in white with a lovely tree in the central courtyard captures that charm and romance well. Once again, twinkling lights set on the table and some superb food by Chef Saby will get you in the mood.Where: Olive, One Style Mile, Mehrauli, Tel: 26642552

Thai High: In the same Mehrauli vicinity is this delicious Thai restaurant. In its earlier avatar Thai Wok, it used to be particularly romantic with a direct view of the Qutab.Where: Ambawatta complex, Mehrauli. Tel: 26644289

Magique: I am partial to al fresco ambience. Who wouldn’t be in spring in Delhi. This is just the right time for the magical setting of the Garden of Five Senses and food crafted by Marut Sikka.Where: Garden of Five Senses, near Saket. Tel: 2953676

The funniest promotion that I have come across is at Smoke House Grill (Masjid Moth, GK II), otherwise quite a lovely and stylish place. Two special cocktails manufactured for the occasion include

Well I’d rather not leave something that is going to anger anyone by me being too opinionated that might see my post lol so I’ll just say it was a good read and who knows maybe I’ll leave something a little more substantial later on.